Have Mercy on Your Daughter

Su Qing felt a wave of helplessness wash over her.

It wasn't that she truly wanted to gain anything from the Old Dragon King...

It was simply that her current appearance carried very little intimidation factor.

She could only rely on her cultivation realm to suppress demons and practitioners whose levels were lower than her own.

"It's not that I desire any treasures, it's just... Forget it, forget it. I'll attend. Just stop staring at me like that."

Seeing the earnest look in the Old Dragon King's eyes, Su Qing sighed softly and said:

"However, I am only responsible for attending. Whether I can actually help you, I cannot say. If I fail to intimidate those demon kings when the time comes, don't blame me, Senior."

The Old Dragon King had been mentally preparing more persuasive arguments, but hearing Su Qing suddenly agree, his train of thought stalled for a moment.

Fortunately, he recovered quickly, laughing heartily as he said:

"I understand, I naturally understand! Rest assured, my worthy son-in-law, you only need to be present. Leave the rest to me. Though you are my son-in-law, your reward will certainly not be lacking! After all, even close brothers must settle accounts clearly."

Having secured Su Qing's promise, the Old Dragon King was overjoyed, his smile crinkling his face like a blooming chrysanthemum.

It was as if everything had fallen perfectly into his grasp.

Seeing his ecstatic expression, the corner of Su Qing's mouth twitched slightly.

She spoke up: "As long as Senior is happy... but I must remind you again, I may not necessarily be able to intimidate those demon kings."

To be honest, Su Qing didn't have much confidence in her ability to suppress demon kings through presence alone.

Setting aside raw strength—which was only one factor—there was the matter of their nature.

On the other hand, they were all demon kings. Which one of them wasn't an arrogant and prideful existence?

How could they be so easily cowed?

Unless there was a massive gap in strength or background, it was highly unlikely they would be intimidated.

As for why she was willing to help despite her lack of confidence, the reason was actually quite simple.

Even if she failed to intimidate them, it wasn't as if she would suffer any great loss.

Furthermore...

Though her relationship with the Old Dragon King was only average, he was still Ao Ying's father...

This Dragon Palace was Ao Ying's home, the place where she grew up.

If she could help with this small matter, Su Qing was willing to do so.

Of course, she had no idea what the final outcome would be.

Hearing Su Qing's words, the Old Dragon King shook his head repeatedly and said:

"My worthy son-in-law, do not belittle yourself. I have a good grasp of your strength! Furthermore, please rest assured that I will not let this cause you any trouble."

Su Qing's mouth twitched again, but she stopped arguing.

At this point, the Old Dragon King was likely too excited to listen to reason anyway.

She would just let him enjoy his happiness.

Su Qing asked: "Then, Senior Dragon King, besides this matter, is there anything else?"

Su Qing was truly losing the patience to continue wasting words with the Old Dragon King...

She could only gently inquire and hope he would take the hint.

After all, directly chasing someone out would be quite impolite.

"This... there is nothing else."

Hearing this, the Old Dragon King laughed, understanding her meaning perfectly. He said:

"Then you should rest well first, my worthy son-in-law. I shall stop disturbing you."

"Safe travels, Senior." Su Qing nodded slightly, exhaling a breath of clear qi.

As the Old Dragon King reached the door, he seemed to remember something and quickly turned back to Su Qing.

"Oh, right, I almost forgot to tell you this. Ying'er lives in the West Palace, right next to her Mother Queen's chambers. If you wish to find her, just find any servant to lead you there."

"You are the son-in-law of the Dragon Palace, so you may command the servants as you please. Furthermore, the servants here are very tight-lipped. Whatever you two do, we won't know about it."

"So you can feel free to do whatever you want with a bold heart!"

"Also... the library is also next to the West Palace. If you need it... you can go there and take what you like. We won't know what books you've taken either!"

"Ahem... that is all. I'm leaving!"

With that, the Old Dragon King didn't linger and quickly strode out of the room.

Su Qing: "..."

Su Qing was speechless for a moment.

The Dragon King and his wife were truly a well-matched couple...

They were far too similar in this regard.

After the Old Dragon King left, Su Qing sighed softly and rubbed her temples.

"Master... is it really alright to agree to attend the second banquet for the Old Dragon King?"

Seeing Su Qing's headache, Leng Xiang thought she was troubled by the upcoming banquet and asked with concern.

Su Qing shook her head and said: "It's fine... no matter how the fire burns, it likely won't reach me. Besides, I'm only attending... I don't need to do much."

Seeing Su Qing say this, Leng Xiang didn't press further, only saying: "As long as Master does not regret it."

"Once a decision is made, I have to see it through even if I do regret it." Su Qing smiled and said: "Leng Xiang, continue the massage for me. Remember to use some strength... I'm ticklish."

Leng Xiang nodded, and after Su Qing removed her outer robe and lay on the bed, she began to massage her.

Time passed quickly.

In the blink of an eye, it was time for dinner.

Dinner was quite peaceful, far more relaxed than lunch.

It allowed Su Qing to enjoy her meal much more.

However, after dinner...

Someone was about to be unhappy.

Perhaps Ao Ying's mother was afraid her daughter would lose her nerve and avoid her entirely.

So, immediately after dinner, she grabbed Ao Ying by her small horns and dragged her away.

Before leaving, she didn't forget to say with a beaming smile: "I'm taking my daughter away for some education. I'll return her to you once we're done."

Su Qing: "..."

Hearing those words, Su Qing was stunned, her mouth twitching.

However, she didn't chase after them. She merely made a silent sign of the cross over her chest and muttered in her heart:

"Amitabha, Infinite Heavenly Venerate... Ying'er, do your best. Don't blame your sister for not helping; I simply can't help you with this~"

Then, under Ao Ying's pleading gaze, she closed her eyes.

Ao Ying: "Sister is so unfaithful!"

And so it went.

The Dragon Queen pulled Ao Ying all the way into her own chambers.

The Dragon Queen sat on the bed, quietly watching her daughter who was sitting perfectly upright. She couldn't help but chuckle and said: "You silly girl, why do you look like you've committed a great crime? Your mother isn't going to spank you like when you were little. You're so grown up now, why would I hit you?"

Looking at Ao Ying's state, the Dragon Queen was reminded of how the girl looked when she got into trouble as a child.

Back then, when she knew she was wrong, she would even bring the switch over herself.

Thinking about it, it was quite cute.

This made the Dragon Queen feel a bit nostalgic...

However, the child was grown now... she couldn't just hit her on a whim.

Seeing her Mother Queen smile, Ao Ying didn't lower her guard. She only asked:

"Mother... what did I do wrong to have you snatch me away like this? I haven't even been home lately... I couldn't have done anything wrong, right?"

At this, the Dragon Queen's beautiful face turned stern again as she said:

"And you say you haven't done anything wrong! You girl, you've been following her for so long, and yet there hasn't been a single development? If the other party is shy, don't you know how to take the initiative? Really, it's as if everything I taught you back then was fed to the dogs!"

Ao Ying was confused at first, but she quickly realized what her Mother Queen was talking about.

She couldn't help but smile and say: "Mother~ you know I'm thin-skinned! Besides... I don't want to make things difficult for Sister."

Hearing this, the Dragon Queen wordlessly poked Ao Ying's forehead and said:

"You silly girl, is your head made of wood? Can't you see that the girl is a toad?"

"Mother? Sister Xiao Qing is a snake demon."

"I know that. I'm talking about her personality."

The Dragon Queen sighed and sat back on the bed, staring helplessly at Ao Ying. She said:

"Although I haven't spoken with her much, I can tell she's the type that needs to be pushed to move forward. Just like a toad—you have to poke her once before she's willing to hop once."

Ao Ying: "..."

"That's why I told you to take the initiative. That's the only way she'll become proactive herself. You silly girl!"

The Dragon Queen patted the bed and said:

"Don't sit on the floor. Come sit by my side. I'll teach you a few more things. Your mother is over ten thousand years old after all; I understand the heart best. This time, you must learn well! I am anxious to hold a granddaughter!"

At this, Ao Ying's face flushed red as she said: "Mother... these things can't be rushed!"

"Hmph, how can they not be rushed?" The Dragon Queen angrily pinched Ao Ying's cheek and said: "I only have one daughter. If you don't give me a granddaughter soon, how will that do? I don't care if you find a woman, and I don't care if you leave home, but you must at least give me something to look forward to!"

Ao Ying couldn't win an argument against her Mother Queen, so she could only nod quickly.

She knew that if she continued to talk back, she would definitely be in for a long lecture.

Therefore, it was better to keep her mouth shut and be obedient.

At worst...

At worst, she would just let it go in one ear and out the other!

Still... if it truly was useful... listening a little didn't seem like it would hurt.

"That's more like it! Oh, right, I have some secret manuals here. Take them and study them well when you go back."

"Manuals? What manuals?"

"Don't worry about it. Actually, I gave quite a few to Xiao Qing before, but it seems none of them were used. This time I'm giving them to you; you must find a way to use them..."

"..." Ao Ying suddenly had a very bad feeling.

But since her Mother Queen had said so, she didn't dare shake her head.

She felt that if she did, she wouldn't be able to escape a beating...

To be spanked at her age would be quite humiliating.

"Hmph, wait here for a moment while I go find them," the Dragon Queen said, looking at Ao Ying.

"I-I understand..." Ao Ying exhaled a long breath.

This was the first time she had seen her Mother Queen so impatient...

It was as if her Mother Queen had become obsessed with having a granddaughter.

While she was thinking, the Dragon Queen returned with the 'manuals'.

She didn't forget to sigh along the way: "Sigh, you girl, try to show a bit of spirit."

Ao Ying didn't remember how many times she had heard her Mother Queen say she lacked spirit...

But it didn't matter if she couldn't remember; she just had to nod.

It was better not to talk back to her Mother Queen.

She couldn't win the argument!

And she couldn't win a fight either!

"Here, keep them safe. Read them slowly once you're back. Don't be in a hurry to read them here; tonight we are discussing other matters." The Dragon Queen glanced at her and then said: "Sit closer."

"Yes... Mother Queen."

That night, neither Ao Ying nor the Dragon Queen got any sleep.

Ao Ying was beyond miserable...

She spent the entire time listening to her Mother Queen's 'teaching'.

To the point that...

When the next morning arrived, her head felt heavy and groggy.

It was as if her brain had been stuffed with so much knowledge that it had become too heavy to carry.

If the palace maids hadn't come to call the Dragon Queen for breakfast,

Perhaps... the Dragon Queen could have kept going.

"Oh my, time flies. It's the next day already before I knew it. Sigh, I still have so much to say!"

The Dragon Queen glanced at the dazed Ao Ying and said:

"But forget it. I imagine that walnut-sized brain of yours probably can't absorb any more knowledge. This should be enough for you."

Hearing this, Ao Ying felt a wave of relief and quickly nodded with a smile.

"Yes, yes, yes. It's enough, it's enough. Mother, please have mercy on your daughter!"

"Don't be happy too soon. It's not time for you to rest yet. Next is your father's birthday banquet. As his daughter, you must naturally go to receive the guests. Those coming are all immortals from the Heavenly Court, so remember to be on your best behavior."

The Dragon Queen had talked all night, but she still appeared full of energy, showing no signs of fatigue. She continued:

"I don't need you to be perfectly proper; just follow the example of your Sister Xiao Qing."

Ao Ying's mouth twitched slightly as she quickly said: "Yes, yes, my Lady Mother Queen! Let us go quickly."

Ao Ying truly couldn't take any more of her Mother Queen's nagging... she could only push her mother out the door.

Seeing this, the Dragon Queen stopped talking and nodded, saying: "Fine, let's go."

The breakfast prepared was nothing extraordinary.

It appeared to be just a regular family breakfast.

Su Qing had arrived early and was watching the Dragon King's other wives play with the Little Sparrows and Gongsun Zhixue while waiting for everyone else to arrive so they could eat.

After a short while, Ao Ying and the Dragon Queen arrived.

However, when Su Qing looked at Ao Ying, Ao Ying shot her a look of deep resentment.

It was as if she were blaming Su Qing for not helping her or accompanying her to face her Mother Queen.

Seeing Ao Ying looking exhausted, as if she hadn't slept all night, Su Qing could only stick out her tongue apologetically.

"Sorry~ I'll apologize to you properly later," Su Qing said to Ao Ying.

Hearing this, Ao Ying suddenly leaned against Su Qing's back, whispering into her ear: "I will remember Sister's words~ Next time, you must give an apology that satisfies me!"

Su Qing smiled helplessly and said: "Alright, alright~ I know!"

Only after hearing Su Qing's promise did Ao Ying pull away with satisfaction. She then sat obediently by Su Qing's side, waiting for breakfast to begin.

Seeing this scene, the Dragon Queen also nodded with satisfaction before taking her seat.

Breakfast began and ended amidst laughter and cheerful conversation.

And after breakfast...

The immortals who had come to celebrate the Dragon King's birthday began to arrive one after another.